ASU basketball encouraged despite skid

ASU focusing on shoring up atypical defensive deficiencies

As the Pac-10 basketball season approaches its midpoint, Arizona State finds itself stuck in last place, territory the Sun Devils haven't inhabited since coach Herb Sendek's first season in 2006.

Entering Thursday's home conference contest against USC, ASU has lost five consecutive Pac-10 games. Its defense in conference play is statistically the worst in the Sendek era. Making matters worse: The Sun Devils have yet to outrebound a conference opponent.

And yet, after fighting No. 18 Washington to the final minutes Saturday, they're encouraged.

"If we're able to string together a couple wins, I think we can go on a run," senior guard Jamelle McMillan said.

"This is a team that's somewhat emotional. We can feed off each other. . . . Some really great things can happen pretty quickly."

They still have health issues, which have materialized in different forms almost every week. Sendek estimated that ASU has had just seven practices this season with its entire roster. The juggling has produced nine different starting lineups, tied with Oregon for most in the Pac-10 and tied for eighth nationally.

The good news for fans: ASU showed offensive improvement against Washington, shooting 50 percent for just the second time this season. Instead of settling for long-range jump shots, the Sun Devils attacked despite their lack of size.

"I wouldn't say we turned the corner, because we still have those little lulls, but it's definitely better," senior guard Ty Abbott said. "We have a better understanding of where to go, when to create."

"As much progress as we've made on the offensive end, we've got to start stringing together some stops on the defensive end," McMillan said. "If we were able to do that for just three possessions (against Washington), the game changes completely."

Despite the struggles, Sendek hasn't noticed anyone quitting.

"Just the opposite," he said. "If anything, I see guys tightening their belts and really trying to pull together and get better. That's one thing I really do like about our team's mind-set. That allowed us to compete the way we did against Washington, and when we returned to practice you honestly wouldn't have known if we were undefeated or not."